1988 Nissan Sentra 1.6 gasoline TBI from Costa Rica

Summary:

Slow, reliable city car

Faults:

Alternator died at 149000.

Steering arms replaced ar 150000.

Faulty senosr in TBI fixed a couple times.

General Comments:

The car is seriously lacking power, having only 70 HP, so performance is basiclly non existent, but the engine has good torque (92 lb/ft) for city driving. Going up steep hills with a heavy load is difficult, top speed under 100 mph. Keeping up with traffic requires staying in the upper rev range. Passing cars on the highway takes good judgement to a whole new level. Going up inclines really shows the lack of power. Keeping momentum is paramount while driving this car, because getting it up to speed takes forever!

It handles fine though, nimble, but lacking power steering makes it hard to drive at parking speeds if you're not used to it.

The car is fairly reliable, and failures occur due to age and wear. Parts are cheap, and easy to work on.

The back seats are useless for taller people, so long trips are worth considering if you're going in the back. The front seats are comfortable and there is plenty leg room up front, good for tall people like me (6'3)

Fuel economy is fine, but nowhere near modern MPI engines, this being a TBI.

Summary:

I would buy another Sentra in a minute!

Faults:

The car needed an air conditioning compressor when I first got it.

Had a new clutch installed at 155,000 miles.

General Comments:

Great gas mileage (36 MPG), very comfortable, even for a big guy like me. (6' 245 lbs.). It has never failed to start or left me stranded. I traded my 95 Caravan with a bad transmission and messed up electrical system for this Sentra. I though I'd just have it a few weeks until I got another car, but I fell in love with the reliability and handeling.